Size doesn’t matter for reigning Bullpups

MANILA, Philippines — All eyes were definitely on towering Kai Sotto of the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eaglets, but the blue collar National U Bullpups, especially their big men, proved they got game, too.

And they have the biggest proof to show – the UAAP Season 81 juniors’ basketball crown.

Carl Tamayo, the finals MVP who put the cuffs on Sotto in the fourth quarter of their clinching 64-53 win in Game Two, said it was all hard work and determination.

“Behind this success, andami naming pinagdaanan, yung struggles, yung fatigue sa court, lahat ng sakripisyo para makuha ang goal namin. Kaya ang sarap ng pakiramdam na nakuha yung pinaghirapan,” he said.

It was a struggle personally for Tamayo, who was hobbled by injury.

“Perseverance lang. Sa sobrang hirap nang pinagdaanan ko, hindi ko makuha yung kundiyson dahil panay injury ko, pero hindi ako tumigil hangga’t hindi nakukuha yung goal namin,” said the Batang Gilas mainstay. “Hindi ko inisip na makuha yung finals MVP kasi ang pinakaimportante sa akin yung makuha namin ang championship.”

As NU put emphasis on team play, their key players missed out on individual awards for the season, which from the usual Mythical Five became “Mythical Six” as the league decided to name a couple of players to the second guard spot.

Sotto ran way with the MVP plum with Santo Tomas playmaker Mark Nonoy, Tiger Cubs’ forward Bismarck Lina, Far Eastern’s RJ Abarrientos (listed as forward) and Ateneo’s Forthsky Padrigao (guard) and Adamson’ Joem Sabandal (guard) joining him in the expanded roster.

The Bullpups, though, don’t mind not having a representative in the elite list.

“Syempre it’s a team sport,” said NU’ second-year coach Goldwin Monteverde, who steered the Sampaloc-based school to the top again after settling for bridesmaid honors the past two years. “I’m sure meron namang basis yung pagpili nila; happy ako for them. Sa amin, very happy ako kasi nakakuha kami ng championship.”

The Bullpups are expected to make a strong bid for back-to-back next year with the core of Tamayo, Terrence Fortea, Quiambao, and Gerry Abadiano set to return.